Direction-indicator-operating means



Feb. 25, 1930.

G. E. BATES I DIRECTION INDICATOR OPERATING MEANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Dec. 12. 1927 A TTORNEYS Feb. 25, 1930. e. E. BATES DIRECTION I NDICATOR OPERATING MEANS Original Filed- Dec. 12, 1927 3- Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 75%

6 BYCD A TTORNEYS Feb. 25, 1930. GE. BATES 1,743,534

nnwcnou INDICATOR OPERATING mmws Original Filed Dec. 12, 1921 s Sheets-Sheet 5 INV TOR.

BY WK/ M A TTORNEYS ma... Feb. 25, 1930 PATENT OFFICE GEORGE E. BATES, O1 SYRACUSE, NEW YORK DIBIGI'ION-INDICATOR-OPERATING MEANS Application fled December 12, 1927, Serial Io. 889,452. Renewed July 18, 1929.

This invention relates to operating means for direction indicators of motor vehicles which when operated indicate that the vehicle is in turn to the right or the left and has for its object, a particularly simple and efiicient a mechanism which is readily applied to the steering wheel of the steering post for operating the direction indicator and also for automatically returning the direction indicator to its normal position upon retrograde movement of the steering wheel after the turn is made.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings inwhich like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Fi re 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a steering wheel and post and contiguous parts of a motor vehicle showing my operating means applied thereto.

a Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view on line 22, Figure 1. y

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation showing'the position of the operating lever and contiguous parts and ratchet mechanism when the operating member is in one of its operated positions.

Figure 4. is an elevation partly in section of parts seen in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view on line 5-5, Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view through one form of direction indicator provided with my invention.

Figure 7 is a detail view of parts seen in Figure 6.

Figures 8, 9 and 10 are face views on a reduced scale of the indicating member indicatin the position thereof when in neutral positlon and when pointing to the left or to 5 the right. a

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the stop light feature of the direction indicator.

' Figures 12, 13 and 14 are respectively a so plan and side elevation and end view of a re versing switch provided with my ratchet mechanism.

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic view ofadirection indicator operated electrically and con- 11J0lled by the switch shown in Figures 12 and The direction indicator itself may be of an suitable form, size and construction an that here shown is shown in my Patent No.

1,556,400 October 6, 1925 although in so far as this invention is concerned, it is merely necessary to bear in mind that an indicator member points or otherwise. indicates that a turn is to be made to the right or the left and the indicating mechanism as here shown is mechanically operated although it may be otherwise operated.

1 designates the indicating member which is a background disk having an arrow thereon, this member being carried by an arm 2 mounted on a rock shaft 3 which is actuated by a se cut 4 meshing with the Pinion 5 on the rock shaft 3, the segment being mounted upon a shaft 6 and being connected to a returning spring 7. The segment is actuated by a. pull wire 8 connected at one end at 9 thereto and at its other end to mechanism to be presently described. The background disk or the arrow or both may be transparent or different colors in order that the tail light 10 may shine therethrough in order to make the arrow visible at night. 11 is a stop light. All of these parts are enclosed in a suitable casing 12.

The segment 4 constitutes the driven mem her to be actuated by the operating mechanism to set the signal. A movement of the operating member in one direction from neutral moves the indicator to a quarter turn to point to the left and movement of the operating member in the opposite direction from neutral moves the indicator member in the same direction, that is, anti-clockwise, threequarters of a turn to point to the right, the turning in both instances being against the action of the returning spring 7 which resets the signal in neutral position when the operating member is released. The operating means whether for mechanically actuating the signal or electrically constitutes the subject matter of this application.

The stop light 11 is connected in circuit with the battery 13 through a normally open "stop light switch 14 which-is connected by a link 15 to the brake pedal 16 in any well known manner.

The operating member is here shown as a lever 21 mounted to move about its axis in opposite directions from neutral position, this lever being mounted adjacent or under the steering wheel 22 of the vehicle and sortably carried by the steering post 23 as Wlll be presently described. It extends nearly radially to the axis of the wheel. The lever 21 moves in the direction the steering wheel is to be turned, that is, if a left turn is to be made, the lever is moved to the left and if a right turn is to be made, the lever is moved to the right from neutral position, and the lever is so arranged relatively to the steering wheel that it can be operated by one of the fingers of the hand while the hand is on the steering Wheel. The means for automatically returning the operating member or lever 21 to its neutral position upon the return movement of the steering wheel after a turn is made, comprises ratchet elements carried by the steering vwheel and the operating lever 21, one of these elements being constructed to ratchet past the other after the operating lever 21 is set in one of its operated positions and While the wheel is being rotated to make a turn and to engage without ratcheting to return the operating member to neutral during the retrograde movement of the steering wheel after the turn is made.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, the ratcheting element on the operating lever'21 moves to effect the ratcheting action.

24 designates the ratcheting element on the operating lever 21, the element 24 being an upright lever pivoted between its ends on the member- 21 and having its upper arm 25 arranged to project into the path of the ratcheting elements or knock-oft shoulders 26 on the steering wheel or on the hub of the steering wheel.

The ratcheting element or lever 24 is provided with means for returning it to its normal upright position and as here shown, the lower arm thereof is weighted. Normally, this element 24 will merely idle as it can swing in opposite directions and means is rovided for holdin it from swin in movement in one direction only when the lever 21 is shifted from neutral position to set the signal in either one direction or the other. This means consists of fixed shoulders or fulcrums 27 arranged in the path of the lower arm of the ratcheting lever 24 to engage said lower arm when the lever 21 is shifted from neutral position in either direction. For instance, when the operating lever 21 is shifted made, one or the other of the shoulders 26 will engage the upper end of the ratcheting lever 24 so that the lever fulcrums on one of the shoulders 27 causing such return movement of the steering wheel to return the lever toward neutral position as long as the lower end of the lever 24 fulcrums on the shoulder 27. This is but a momentary fulcruming but is sufiicient to return or start the operating lever on its return movement to neutral position. The same operation takes place when the lever 27 is moved to the right preliminary to turning the steering wheel to the right.

As before stated, my mechanism is here shown as applied to a mechanically operated signal and the motion of the lever 21 is transferred to the driven element or segments 4 through a pull wire 8.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, the lever 21 is mounted upon a rock shaft 28 mounted in a tube 29 suitably secured to the steering post 23 to extend lengthwise thereof. The rock shaft extends beyond the lower end of the tube 28 and is provided with a cam 30 at its lower end. The cam 30 is formed with a dwell 31 and lift por tions 32, 33 of different height or of different radii on opposite sidesof the dwell and the motion of the cam is transmitted to the pull wire 8 through a follower as a lever 34 pivotcd at 35 to a bracket 36 on the lower end of the tube 29, the lever being connected at its free end to the front end of the pull wire 8.

The lever is normally engaged with the dwell portion of the cam 30 and during rocking of the lever to the right, the short lift portion 32comes into coaction with the follower lever 34 and through the pull wire 8 and segment 4 causes the indicator to make a quarter turn to the right. During the movement of the cam, the same distance to the left. the higher lift portion 33 coacts with the follower lever 34 to cause the segment 4 to be actuated through the pull wire suflicient distance to make a three-quarter turn over to the right so that the arrow points to the left.

Ratchet means is provided for holding the lever 21 in its operated position and in this embodiment of my invention. this means includes a spring 37 located within the tube 29 and abutting at one end against a shoulder 38 in the tube and at its other end against a collar 39 on the shaft so that the spring acts as a compression spring. The ratchet means provided for holding the lever inits operated position is located-remote from the lever 21 although it may be located adjacent thereto. It consist-sot a rack formed on the lower end of the bracket 36 and having depressions 40 with a high point or tooth 41 between them and a tooth 42 formed on the upper end of the cam 30, the tooth 42.-normally riding on the end of the teeth 41 and when in this position, the lever 21 .is held depressed holding the upper end -of the ratchet lever 24 out of the path of the shoulders 26. When the lever 21 is operated in either direction. the tooth 41 moves into one or the other of the notches permitting the shaft 28 to move upwardly endwise thus carrying the upper end 25 of the ratchet lever 24 into the path of the shoulders 26. The endwise movement of the shaft 28 is effected by the spring 37.

In so far as the ratcheting mechanism including the lever 24 is concerned, the endwise movement of the shaft 28 merely acts to hold the ratcheting lever 24 normally out of the path of the shoulders 26 and the endwise movement is primarily to operate the ratchet mechanism consisting of the shoulders 42 and 41 and notches 40 and owing to the fact that a mechanically operated signal is shown, it is found most convenient to locate the ratcheting mechanism remote from the lever 21 although obviously, the ratcheting mechanism may be located adjacent the lever particularly when the lever constitutes the handle of a reversing switch for controlling the flow of current in opposite directions through an electroresponsi've actuator as a reversible motor or a reversely acting solenoid or other electro magnetic devices or for controlling the flow of current to different signal lamps.

In operation, when a left hand turn is to be made, the operator preliminarily moves the lever 21 to the left bringing the weighted end of the lever 24 against the front fulcrum 27 When the steering wheel 22 is turned to the left and the shoulders 26 thereon strike the lever 24, the lever merely turns or swings away from the front fulcrum 27. After the turn is made and the steering wheel is turned to the right, one or the other of the shoulders 26 engages the upper end of the lever 24 and as it is fulcrumed on the front fulcrum 27, it acts rigidly so that the force of the steering wheel-is applied to the lever 21 and it is moved to the right or toward its neutral position or the shoulder 41 is moved out of the front notch 40 and the spring 7 returns the lever 21 to its neutral position. The same action takes place when the lever is moved to the right preliminary to turning the steering wheel to theright.

In Figures 12, 13 and 14, the operating lever resetting means is shownv as applied to the opearting lever 45 of a reversing switch which controls the operation of the electro- .responsive devicel as a reversible motor 46 which moves inopposite directions of new tral position to set a signal to point to the right or to the left. I The'reversing. switch may be of any suitable form, size or con struction and includes a suitable base 47 attachable to the steeringpost, contacts 48 mounted on the base on oppositesides of the lever 45 which is mounted at 49 on the .base. The lever 45 is connected by suitable'wires 50 to a source of electric energy as an electric battery 51 and the terminals 48 are connected by wires 52 to an electroresponsive device as a reversiblemotor 46.

In the illustrated embodiment of this feature of my invention, each of the wires 52 is connected to like ends of oppositely wound coils 53 of the field magnet of the motor and the other ends of these coils are connected in a circuit with one of the brushes 55 of the motor. The other brush 56 of the motor is grounded or the circuit may be otherwise completed back to the battery.

The switch lever 45 's a conductor connecting the pivot point 49 and contacts 58 which move into engagement with the contacts 48. Obviously, the shifting of the lever 45 in one direction from neutral to engageone set of contacts 58, 48 will cause the current to pass through one of the wires 52 and energize the motor in one direction and movement of the operating lever 45 in the other direction from neutral engages the other set of contacts 48, 58 and causes the current to flow through the other conductor 52 and actuate the motor in the opposite direction.

The lever 45 is formed with a spring portion 45 which returns said lever to its normal or inoperative position and is held in either of its operated positions by ratchet means here shown as a spring 59 mounted on the base 47 having upwardly inclined arms 61 on opposite sides thereof and seats 62 at the upper ends of the inclines in one or the other of which the lever is located when in operated position. 1

63 designates theratcheting element corresponding to theratchet element or weighted lever 24. This weighted lever 63 is mounted to rotate about the lever 45 and has its upper end 64arranged in the path of the knock off shoulders 65 rotatable with the steering wheel and corresponding to the knock ofi shoulders 26. The operation of the lever 64 is the same as the lever 24 and also the operation of the lever 45 is practically the same as the lever 21 except that the lever 45 has no up and down or axial movement other than that due to its resiliency. When the lever 45 is in either of its operated positions, that is, when it is engaging with either of the contacts 48, the weighted end of the ratcheting lever 63 is in contact with a fulcrum point 66 carried by the base 47 of the switch.

The base 47 is preferably of insulating material or the various parts are insulated therefrom. Also a suitable cap 67 encloses the portion of the switch and lever carrying the contacts. The base 47 is provided with a suitable slot 68 through which the weighted end of the lever 63 depends. This slot 68 is wide enough to permit the lever to swing or ratchet, the ends of said slot 68 forming the fulcrum point 66 of the ratcheting lever 63.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with the steering wheel and post of a motor vehicle, of an operating member for direction indicators and the like carried by the post and movable in opposite directions from neutral position in one direction relatively to the direction of the turning movement of the steering wheel, and means for automatically resetting the operating member in neutral position by the return movement of the steering wheel after a turn is made, comprising a ratchet mechanism comprising an element movable with the operating member and normally relatively thereto when unrestrained from movement, said element being normally arranged to idle when in neutral position and to idle in one direction only when the operating member is in one of its operated positions and to form a rigid connection in the other direction when the operating member is in one of its operated positions and elements rotatable with the steering wheel for coacting with the former element to ratchet past the same when the steering wheel is rotated to make a turn and to form a rigid connection with said element during the return movement of the steering wheel after the turn is made and means for holding the element on the operating member from ratcheting when said element is in its operated position during the return rotation of the wheel.

2. The combination with the steering wheel and post of a motor vehicle and an operating member for direction indicators and the like, said member being carried by the post and movable in opposite direction from neutral position in-one direction relatively to the direction of the turning movement of the steering wheel and means for automatically resetting the operating member into neutral position by the return movement of the steering wheel after a turn is made comprising ratchet mechanism including an upright lever pivoted between its ends to the operating member and having means tending to return to its upright position, a knock-oil element rotatable with the steering wheel and arranged to engage the upper end of the pivoted lever, a stop arranged to coact with the lower arm of the lever when the operating member is in one of its operated positions and form a-fulcrum for said lever during retrograde movement of the steering wheel after the turn is made.

3. The combination with the steering wheel and post of a motor vehicle and an operating member for direction indicators and the like, said member being carried by the post and movable in opposite directions from neutral position in one direction relatively to the direction of the turning movement of the steering wheel and means for automatically resetting the operating member in neutral position by the return movement of the steering wheel after a turn is made comprising ratchet mechanism including an upright lever pivoted between its ends to the operating member and having means tending to return it to its upright position, a kn'ock-ofi' element rotatable with the steering wheel and arranged to engage the upper end of the lever, a fulcrum arranged to coact with the lower arm of the lever when the operating member is in one of its operated positions during retrograde movement of the steering wheel after the turn is made, means tending to return the operating member to its neutral position and means for impositively holding it in its operated position.

' 4. The combination with the steering wheel and post of a motor vehicle and an operating member for direction indicators and the like, said member being carried by the post and movable in opposite directions from neutral position relatively to the direction of the turning movement of the steering wheel and means for automatically resetting the operating member into neutral position by the return movement of the steering wheel after a turn is made comprising ratchet mechanism including an upright lever pivoted between its ends to the operating member and having means tending to return it to its upright position, a knock-off element rotatable with the steering wheel and arranged to engage the upper end of the lever, a fulcrum arranged to coact with the lower arm of the lever when the operating member is in one of its operated positions during retrograde movement of the steering wheel after the turn is made, the operating member having also an upward movement when moved from neutral position to its operated position and the ratchet element carried thereby being normally out of the path of the element on the steering wheel and movmechanism including an upright element pivoted between its ends tothe operating member andhaving meanstending to returnit to its upright position, a knock-off element rotatable with the steering wheel and arranged to engage the upper end of the pivoted element, a fulcrum arranged to coact with the lower arm of the pivoted element during retrograde movement of the steering wheel after the turn is made, the operating member having an upward movement when moved from neutral position to its operated position and the ratchet element carried thereby being normally out of the path of the element on the steering wheel and movable into the path thereof by the upward movement of the operating member, means tending to return the operating member to its neutral position and ratchet mechanism operated by the upward and downward movement of the operating member for holding the operating member in its operated position.

6. The combination with the steering wheel and post of a motor vehicle, of an operating member for direction indicators and the like carried by the post and movable in opposite directions from neutral into position relatively to the direction of the turning movement of the steering wheel, means for automatically resetting the operating member in neutral position by the return movement of the steering Wheel after the turn is made comprising ratchet mechanism including elements carried by the operating member and by the steering wheel, the element carried by the operating member being normally out of the path of the element on the steering wheel and movable into the path thereof by the movement of the operating member from neutral .postion.

7. The combination with the steering Wheel and post of a motor vehicle, of an operating member for direction indicators and the like carried by the post and movable in opposite directions from neutral position relatively to the direction of the turning,

movement of the steering wheel, means for automatically resetting the operating member in neutral position by the return movement of the steering wheel after the turn is made comprising ratchet mechanism including elements carried by the operating member and by the steering Wheel, the operating member being mounted to have an upward movement during its shifting from neutral position to move the ratchet element carried thereby into the path of the element carried by the steering wheel when the operating member is shifted from neutral position.

8. The combination with the steering wheel and post of a motor vehicle, of an operating member for direction indicators and the like of the steerin wheel, means for automatically resetting t e operating member in neutral position by the return movement of the steering wheel after the turn is made comprising ratchet mechanism includin elements carried by the operating mem er and b the steering wheel, the operating member eing mounted to have an upward movement dur* ing its shifting from neutral position to move the ratchet element carried thereby into the path of the element carried by the steering wheel when the operating member is shifted from neutral position and means tending to return the operating member to its neutral position and ratchet means operated by the P member to hold the operating member in its operated position.

9. The combination of a direction indicator comprls ng an indicating member movable to point to the right or the left, an oper-- and down movement of the operating ating mechanism comprising a driven element, a rockshaft movable in opposite direct1ons, a prime mover for rockin it, a cam mounted on the rock shaft an having a dwell and lift portions of different radii on opposlte sides of the dwell portion, a follower coactin with the cam and normally engaged with t e idle portion thereof and a pull Wire connecting the follower and the driven element, said mechanism including a spring for returning the indicator to its normal position. y

10. The combination of a direction indicator comprlsing an indicating member movable to point to the right or to the left, an operating mechanism comprising a driven element, a rock shaft movable in opposite directlons, a prime mover for rocking it, connections operated by the rock shaft to actuate the driven element, the prime mover comprising an arm mounted on the rock shaft movable in opposite directions from neutral positions and ratchet means tending to hold the lever in its operated position and a spring tending to return the rock shaft to neutral position.

11. The combination of a direction indicav ositions, ratchet means tending to hold the ever in its operated position and a spring tending to return the rock shaft to neutral position, in combination with a steering wheel and post and ratchet mechanism for returning the operating lever to its neutral position during the return movement of the steering wheel after a turn is made comprising an element carried by the steering wheel an element carried by the lever and arranged in the path of the element carried by the wheel when the operating lever is in its operated position. v

12. The combination with a steering wheel and post of a motor vehicle and an operating member for direction indicator and the like, said member being supported by the post and movable in 'OPPOSltG directions from neutral position in one direction relative to the turnmg movement of the steering wheel, means for automatically resetting the operating member into neutral position by the return movement of'the steermg wheel after a turn has been made comprisin a ratchet mechanism including a lever PLVOtGd between its ends and connected to the operatin member to be shifted bodily thereby, a knoc -ofi element rotatable with the steering wheel and arranged to engage one arm of the pivoted lever, a stop arranged to coact with the other arm of the lever when the operating member is shifted into one of its operative positions and form a fulcrum for said lever during the retrograde movement of the steering wheel after the turn has been made. i

Intestimony I whereof, I have hereunto signed m name, at Syracuse, in the county.

of Onon a a, and State of New York, this 8th day of ec. 1927.

GEORGE E. BATES. 

